Hiking and Yoga: How to Combine the Two for a Perfect Workout
Yoga Adds Flexibility and Strengthens Lower Body Joints
Yoga adds flexibility and strengthens lower body joints, which makes it a great addition to your hiking routine. Try these structured events in L.A. and Orange counties that combine the activities. We’ve also found trail-adjacent yoga classes, including in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park, so you can plan your own workout.
Fitness Hikes with Yoga
Registration is required for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s free yoga hikes, held regularly at Bommer Canyon, Quail Hill, and other designated wilderness areas in Orange County. Classes often fill up, but there is a wait list that lets you slot in if someone cancels.
A recent Friday morning trek through Bommer Canyon near UC Irvine took us high above the marine layer on a ridge trail with limited public access. After a moderate five-mile hike, we settled with towels and mats under a pavilion on the renovated grounds of the cattle camp operated by the Irvine Co. during much of the 20th century. Yoga instructor Rudd likes to call attention to the area’s cowboy roots and remind participants that the site they’re on was once used to inoculate, disinfect, and brand cattle.
The gentle stretches and poses led by Rudd served as an ideal cooldown for our moderate hike. Equally impressive was the setting: A graceful canopy of sycamore trees, infinitely more calming than the steamy wall mirrors of a typical yoga studio, framed one side of the pavilion and helped me focus and hold my poses steady.
Yoga Near Trailheads
Yoga has been a fixture at the base of Runyon Canyon Park in Hollywood since 2000. Instructor Daniel Overberger leads donation-based classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning on a fenced-in lawn surrounded by mature trees. (Rain sometimes cancels the class; check here for updates.)
Overberger describes it as “a basic flow-Savasana class with lots of Warrior 1 and 2,” ending in seated poses that work the body’s core. I found myself focusing on a pair of giant palm trees while birds singing and the muted conversations of passersby provided background noise. It’s an only-in-L.A. experience that attracts tourists, industry professionals, hikers, and dog walkers. (One regular joins in outside the fence while his dogs rest in the shade.)
There’s no organized hike associated with the class, but afterward, I saw several participants enjoying the popular 2.7-mile loop trail that begins nearby. (Pro tip: Allow plenty of time for parking in this dense area or that zen vibe will vanish before the first Savasana.)
Beach Yoga, Ocean Walks
Yoga studios from Santa Monica to Laguna Beach offer regular classes on the sand, and free or donation-based beach classes pop up on Eventbite and other platforms throughout the year. (Phillips Brinker brings her Griffith Park yoga class south to Hermosa Beach once a month; check here for updates.)
In December, I joined a flow class led by Soho Yoga in Hermosa Beach after walking along the ocean’s edge for a brisk mile. It initially felt like the least challenging of all my yoga hikes but ultimately left me feeling just as energized and calm as the others did. The salt air increased my awareness of breathing, and the sand served as a soft, comfortable landing for my joints and back. During the final Savasana, I kept my eyes open and reveled in the simple act of watching the clouds shape-shift above me. Just be sure to bring extra towels and be prepared to get sandy.
Conclusion
Hiking and yoga can be a perfect combination for a workout, providing a full-body exercise routine that can improve flexibility, strength, and overall well-being. By combining these two activities, you can challenge yourself physically and mentally, and enjoy the great outdoors while doing so.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of combining hiking and yoga?
A: Combining hiking and yoga can improve flexibility, strength, and overall well-being, providing a full-body exercise routine that can be beneficial for both physical and mental health.
Q: How can I find hiking and yoga events in my area?
A: You can search online for local hiking and yoga events in your area, or check with local yoga studios and outdoor organizations for upcoming events and classes.
Q: What should I wear for a hike-yoga combination workout?
A: Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and shoes suitable for hiking, and consider bringing a yoga mat and towel for your yoga practice.
